The first race at Geelong today, The Road To Jericho Highweight Handicap contested over 3762m, gave a true insight into the task facing runners heading to the Jericho Cup at Warrnambool on November 30 … the Jericho Cup being a contest that provides the longest race distance in Australia at 4600m.
And the winners of today’s race … trainer Aaron Purcell, jockey Will Gordon and the gelding Farag … know all about it as they forged a path to victory in the 2024 edition of the Jericho Cup which was won by a whopping twenty-length margin by Ferag under the steadying burden of 69kg.
In that context, tackling the 3762m at Geelong was something of a warm-up for Farag, but just consider this as to just how much the landscape changes when Ferag, and others, take a fork in the road and The Road To Jericho races comes into play.
Farag’s start prior to this Geelong assignment was over 2800m carrying 53kg. The Geelong start was thus a 962m step up in distance with an increased weight impost of no less than 17kg … up to 70kg.
Of course, all of the runners in the race were carrying big weights, but it is still a big task.
But Farag took it all in his stride. In truth, it was just business as usual for Farag and the Purcell / Gordon team.
“He just really comes to light this time of the year,” said Will Gordon. “He seems to like the sun on his back.
“He switched off beautifully. I was able to extricate him off the fence down the back …that was probably a key stage of the race. He was tough to the line. Looks good going forward.”
Farag, who started as the $2.60 favourite, beat fellow New Zealand bred Reddivo ($12) and Ferago ($4.40) into second and third place respectively.